Guus Hiddink has insisted that Willian can be a valuable player for Chelsea in the future, as rumours linking the Brazil international with a move to China persist.
The Mirror reported earlier this week that Chinese Super League heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande were keen on signing the attacker.
The tabloid note that current coach and former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is targeting the versatile forward and is understood to be willing to double the £120,000-per-week wages the Pensioners are understood to have offered to the South American.
The 27-year-old has managed five goals and five assists in what has been a tricky campaign for the Blues, who have wholly failed to retain their EPL title, and has arguably been Chelsea’s brightest performer under both Hiddink and previous coach Jose Mourinho.
However, as noted by the Mirror, he is yet to sign the new deal proposed to him by the club, making it understandable that speculation exists concerning his future.
Hiddink isn’t convinced and—speaking to the media ahead of the Blues’ EPL bout against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday—has insisted that Willian can still be a key man at Stamford Bridge.
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“He is doing a very good job in a difficult year with his natural ability, he is working very hard to defend and sacrifice himself and he has the attitude to do so,” the Dutch coach told journalists [as per Goal].
“That’s why I think he is already—and can be in the future—a key player for this club.”